New Discoveries Made at Pompeii

Archeologists working at the famed ruins of Pompeii have uncovered a “new” house at the site, described as that of a “wealthy and cultured” individual, located in the Regio V area of the city. The house, named the House of Jupiter thanks to artwork found at the site, was known to archeologists working in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries, the original excavation work also being uncovered during recent digs.

The House of Jupiter is in the first Roman style and lavishly decorated with frescos and stucco squares imitating marble in a mirriad of colours, archeologists on site recovering a wealth of artefacts including coins, glass objects, terracotta statues and building materials. The house contains a lavishly decorated central atrium which is surrounded by several other decorated rooms, those at the back of the property having been renovated into a more modern style at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius.

“The rooms in the back, reserved for the family, had been restored with more contemporary decor… The owner must have been wealthy and cultured, aware of the value of painting.” – Massimo Osanna, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park

The area surrounding the domus was also excavated including a pathway and alley alongside the neighbouring property which showed fire damage, the team recovering charred wood that is believed to be the remains of a bed.

What a visual treat from the excavations of Region V #Pompeii! Photographer @Cesab1967 has beautifully captured the latest wall paintings to emerge from the pumice in the House of Jupiter & the importance of immediate conservation work.Images courtesy of @pompeii_sites Instagram pic.twitter.com/Vzj6YUnstD

Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, the ruins at Pompeii were famously preserved through a lack of air and moisture, the entire city being buried under 13-20 feet of ash and pumice, leaving an untouched treasure trove of information about daily Roman life. The city, along with Herculaneum, lay forgotten until 1599 when digging of an underground channel to divert the river Sarno uncovered ancient walls covered with paintings and inscriptions.

The current excavations, the largest in the unexplored regions of the city, are set to continue into 2020.

Related

Michael East is a writer with a wide variety of eclectic tastes including politics, history, archaeology, professional wrestling and British science-fiction. A former Students' Union President and newspaper editor, he has studied at a variety of institutions and graduated in both history and politics.

He is interested in truth, justice and the unAmerican way. Named as TIME Person of the Year in 2006 and 2011, he is known variously as a rake, a libertine and as the King in the North... if to nobody else but himself.